Wreath laying ceremonies, to remember those who fought and lost their lives in the Easter Rising, have taken place around the country this afternoon.

State remembrance ceremonies took place in counties Meath, Galway, Cork and Wexford.

While the acting Transport Minister Pascal Donohoe led a wreath laying ceremony at Boland's Mills on the Grand Canal in Dublin.

A wreath was also laid there by Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv and Shane Dunne Colcough, on behalf of the relatives of those who fought there during the Rising.

Eamon O Cuiv's grandfather Eamon de Valera, was the officer in charge at Boland's Mills during the 1916 rebellion.

Deputy O Cuiv says it was a great privilege to be involved in the commemoration at Boland's Mills

Meanwhile, a Fianna Fail TD and grandson of Eamon de Valera, says Dev always believed that the Easter Rising was a necessary step to achieve Irish Independence.

Other State remembrance ceremonies took place in counties Meath, Galway, Cork and Wexford.

Deputy O Cuiv laid a wreath at Boland's Mills in Dublin - the location where Eamon de Valera held the post of Chief Commandant during the Easter Rising.

Mr. O Cuiv says although the Rising was a hugely significant time in de Valera's life, he doesn't remember it being widely talked about in the family:

Meanwhile, Captain Peter Kelleher says he hopes he did the Ireland's Proclamation of Independence justice in his oration at the GPO yesterday.

Captain Kelleher was chosen from hundreds of members of the defence forces who'd applied to speak at the Easter Rising Centenary parade.

He's been praised for the manner in which he carried himself at the event which was led by President Michael D Higgins and relatives of the 1916 leaders.

Captain Kelleher says he was delighted to have been picked: